Welcome back. Keep your shortlist and get deadline reminders with a free account.

Queen's University Belfast official logo

Queen's University Belfast

Belfast, United Kingdom • Founded 1845 • QS 2027 #174 =

Updated Sep 2026 · Source: qub.ac.uk

Overview

English Name: Queen's University Belfast
Acronyms: QUB
Founded: 1845
Institution Type: University
Control Type: Public
Entity Type: Non-profit
Rankings:
QS World University Rankings 2027 #174 = Times Higher Education 2026 #198 = ARWU (Shanghai) 2026 #201-300 CWTS Leiden 2025 #116 SCImago 2026 #291
Motto: Pro tanto quid retribuamus
Queen's University Belfast principal campus
1 / 4

Queen's University Belfast (QUB) is a public research university in Belfast, Northern Ireland, founded in 1845 as Queen's College Belfast and became an independent university in 1908.

It belongs to the Russell Group, the UK's association of research-intensive universities. The university is organised into three faculties, Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences; Engineering and Physical Sciences; and Medicine, Health and Life Sciences, comprising fifteen schools including Queen's Business School (QBS).

QUB offers undergraduate, postgraduate taught and postgraduate research degrees across a broad range of subjects. The university enrols over 3,900 international students from more than 90 countries.

Its main campus sits in the Queen's Quarter near Belfast city centre, with additional accommodation sites across the city including the Elms and Willow Walk student villages.

QUB is placed among the top 200 universities worldwide (QS University Rankings 2026) and has 14 subjects ranked in the UK's top 10 (Complete University Guide 2027). Notable alumni include Nobel Prize-winning poet Seamus Heaney and physicist John Stewart Bell.

Location & Contact

Address, contact details, and online presence for Queen's University Belfast are summarised below.

Address: University Road
Postal Code: BT7 1NN
Phone: +44 (28) 9024 5133
Fax: +44 (28) 9097 5137
Email: info@stran.ac.uk
Social Media:

Academic Details

Below are the institutional metrics for Queen's University Belfast: scale, staffing, and accreditation.

Academic Year: September to June (September-January; January-June)
Recognition: Privy Council
Admission Requirements: Undergraduate applications are made through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service); direct application to the university is only available for part-time study or in specific international cases. English language requirement: IELTS 6.0 overall, 5.5 in each component (institution minimum; individual courses may ask for higher scores). International qualifications and equivalencies: https://www.qub.ac.uk/Study/international-students/applying/english-language-requirements/
Total Students: 25,080
Female Students: 14,930
Academic Staff Range: 1,000-1,499
Campus Setting: Urban
Memberships & Networks
Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) European University Association (EUA) Utrecht Network Conference of European Schools for Advanced Engineering Education and Research (CESAER) Russell Group Universities UK

Academic Structures

The academic units through which Queen's University Belfast delivers teaching are listed below.

Unit 20 items
  • School of Biological Sciences
  • School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
  • School of Education
  • School of Electronics, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
  • School of English
  • School of Geography, Archaeology and Paleoecology
  • School of History and Anthropology
  • School of Languages, Literatures and Performing Arts
  • School of Law
  • School of Mathematics and Physics
  • School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
  • School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences
  • School of Music and Sonic Arts
  • School of Nursing and Midwifery
  • School of Pharmacy
  • School of Planning, Architecture and Civil Engineering
  • School of Politics, International Studies and Philosophy
  • School of Psychology
  • School of Queen's University Management School
  • School of Sociology, Social Policy and Social Work

Faculties & Divisions

All faculties operate under Privy Council.

Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences (Faculty) 17 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Anthropology
  • Education
  • English
  • History
  • International Studies
  • Law
  • Literature
  • Management
  • Modern Languages
  • Music
  • Performing Arts
  • Philosophy
  • Political Sciences
  • Social Policy
  • Social Work
  • Sociology
  • Theology
Engineering and Physical Sciences (Faculty) 13 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Aeronautical and Aerospace Engineering
  • Archaeology
  • Architecture
  • Chemical Engineering
  • Chemistry
  • Civil Engineering
  • Ecology
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering
  • Geography
  • Mathematics
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Physics
  • Psychology
Medicine, Health and Life Sciences (Faculty) 24 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Anaesthesiology
  • Anatomy
  • Biochemistry
  • Biological and Life Sciences
  • Dentistry
  • Endocrinology
  • Epidemiology
  • Health Sciences
  • Medicine
  • Microbiology
  • Midwifery
  • Molecular Biology
  • Neurosciences
  • Nursing
  • Obstetrics and Gynaecology
  • Oncology
  • Ophthalmology
  • Orthopaedics
  • Pathology
  • Pharmacology
  • Physiology
  • Psychiatry and Mental Health
  • Public Health
  • Surgery

Programs Offered

Below are Queen's University Belfast's active programmes, grouped by degree level, with search.

281 programmes on record. Each level below shows a sample. Compare these on the programs page All programs in United Kingdom

Honours Degree 211 programmes

Showing 10 of 211.

Master of Business Administration 2 programmes

Master of Philosophy 9 programmes

Master's Degree 32 programmes

Showing 10 of 32.

Doctorate 12 programmes

Showing 10 of 12.

Professional Doctorate 1 programme

Foundation 2 programmes

Postgraduate Certificate 7 programmes

Postgraduate Diploma 5 programmes

Scholarships in United Kingdom

Scholarships open to students attending universities in the United Kingdom are listed below.

A-level Entrance Scholarship Competition
University funded · International students · 2,400 GBP per total · Covers Living
A cash award of £600 to £2,400 for new students starting a first degree who achieved at least three A grades at A-level (including AVCEs).
Cambridge Trust International Scholarship
Cambridge Trust · Foundation funded · International students · Renewable · Combined · Covers Living
Covers tuition fees at the international rate, an annual maintenance stipend, and support towards the student visa and Immigration Health Surcharge, for postgraduate (and some undergraduate) study at Cambridge; there is no separate application form.
Care Leavers Bursary
University funded · Renewable · 1,000 GBP per year · Living Stipend · Covers Living
A £1,000 a year bursary for care-experienced students, paid directly to your bank account in two instalments of £500 at the start of each semester.
Early Confirmation Award
University funded · International students · 1,500 GBP per year · Partial Tuition
A £1,500 discount off your first-year tuition fees for paying in full by the early payment deadline. Can be combined with other Queen's scholarships.
Elite Athlete Programme
University funded · International students · Renewable · Covers Living
Support for elite athletes to balance academic and sporting ambitions, including academic flexibility, financial assistance towards fees and living costs, mentoring, media support, physiotherapy, facility access and sports clothing.
Gates Cambridge Scholarship
Gates Cambridge Trust · Foundation funded · International students · Renewable · Combined
Funds full-time or part-time PhD study, the one-year MLitt, or (with some exceptions) other one-year postgraduate courses at the University of Cambridge; fee and stipend amounts are set through the University's own student-funding process rather than published on the eligibility page.
International Undergraduate Scholarship
University funded · International students · 4,000 GBP per year · Partial Tuition
A one-off award of £3,500 or £4,000 off your tuition fees in your first year, depending on which international fee rate you pay.
LLB Law Senior Status International Scholarship
University funded · International students · 4,000 GBP per year · Partial Tuition
A £4,000 award towards your first year of the graduate-entry LLB Law (Senior Status) accelerated qualifying law degree.
Queen's Accommodation Bursary
University funded · Renewable · 1,250 GBP per year · Living Stipend · Covers Living
An adjustment to University accommodation fees of £1,250 a year for household income below £19,204, or £750 a year for household income below £25,000.
Queen's Bursary
University funded · Renewable · 490 GBP per year · Fee Waiver · Covers Living
A £490 cash bursary paid directly to your bank account in one instalment (normally February) if your household income is up to £19,203 and you pay the full NI or GB tuition fee. A pro-rata amount is available to eligible compulsory year-out students.
Queen's Excellence Award
University funded · International students · Renewable · 3,000 GBP per year · Partial Tuition
A merit-based cash award for international students who achieve a strong GPA in an earlier year of their undergraduate degree, paid towards the following year of study.
Queen's Family Scholarship
University funded · International students · Partial Tuition
A 20% tuition fee reduction in your first year if you're the child, grandchild or sibling of a Queen's alumnus or current student, starting a full-duration course.
Queen's Loyalty Scholarship
University funded · International students · Partial Tuition
A 20% tuition fee reduction in your first year for returning to Queen's after previously completing a programme, exchange, study abroad or summer/winter school here.
Rhodes Scholarship
Rhodes Trust · Foundation funded · International students · Renewable · 20,400 GBP per year · Combined · Covers Living, Travel
Covers University of Oxford course and college fees, an annual stipend of £20,400 (£1,700 a month, 2025-26 rate), the Oxford application fee, student visa and Immigration Health Surcharge costs, two economy flights to and from the UK, and a settling-in allowance.
Sports Bursary and Academy Scholarship
University funded · International students · Renewable
Support for current students who have reached a high standard in their sport, including sports science support, free facility access, clothing and financial assistance. Over 100 Academy places are available each year.
uVersity Scholarship for Mature Students
University funded · Renewable · Combined · Covers Living
Multi-year financial support towards tuition fees and living costs for adult learners studying for their first Bachelor's degree, tailored to each recipient's financial circumstances.
Vice-Chancellor's International Attainment Scholarship (Postgraduate Taught)
University funded · International students · Renewable · Partial Tuition
A 50% reduction on full tuition fees for up to two years of a postgraduate taught programme, for exceptionally talented international students.
Vice-Chancellor's International Attainment Scholarship (Undergraduate)
University funded · International students · Renewable · Partial Tuition
A 50% reduction on full tuition fees for every year of your undergraduate degree, up to four years, for exceptionally talented international students.
Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Scholarships and Leadership Programme
Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Trust · Foundation funded · International students · Renewable · 18,622 GBP per year · Combined · Covers Living
Covers 100% of course fees and a living-cost grant (at least £18,622 a year through the St Antony's College partnership) for the full period of fee liability, plus participation in a tailored leadership programme.

How to apply to Queen's University Belfast

Five steps that capture how applications to Queen's University Belfast flow.

  1. 1
    Browse the programme catalogue

    Begin by reviewing the programmes section above. Queen's University Belfast offers 281 programmes grouped by qualification level. Decide on a target tier (bachelor's, master's, or doctoral) before narrowing by subject.

  2. 2
    Check eligibility for your chosen programme

    Each programme at Queen's University Belfast has its own entry requirements — academic minimums, language proficiency, supporting documents, and sometimes interviews or portfolios. Check the programme-specific page or contact admissions to confirm eligibility.

  3. 3
    Get your documents ready

    Most applications require certified academic records, identification documents, language test certificates (IELTS, TOEFL, or equivalent for English-medium programmes), CV/résumé, and a statement of purpose. Allow extra time for document authentication.

  4. 4
    Apply through UCAS or direct entry

    Undergraduate applicants apply through UCAS (ucas.com) rather than directly to Queen's University Belfast. Postgraduate applicants apply directly through Queen's University Belfast's own admissions portal at www.qub.ac.uk.

  5. 5
    Reach out and track your application

    After submitting, confirm receipt with the admissions office and track your application status through the portal. You can reach the institution by email at info@stran.ac.uk or by phone at +44 (28) 9024 5133. Set reminders for any interview requests, additional document submissions, or admission decision deadlines.

Frequently Asked Questions about Queen's University Belfast

Quick answers to common questions about Queen's University Belfast.

When was Queen's University Belfast founded?

Queen's University Belfast was established in 1845 (approximately 181 years ago).

Where is Queen's University Belfast located?

Queen's University Belfast is located in Belfast, United Kingdom.

Is Queen's University Belfast public or private?

Queen's University Belfast is a public institution.

What is the student enrolment at Queen's University Belfast?

Student enrolment at Queen's University Belfast is around 25,080.

How is Queen's University Belfast ranked?

It ranks QS 2027 #174 =.

What degrees does Queen's University Belfast offer?

Queen's University Belfast delivers bachelor's, master's and doctoral programmes across its academic units.

How is Queen's University Belfast organised academically?

The institution comprises 20 academic units.

Is Queen's University Belfast accredited?

The institution holds recognition from Privy Council.

Where can I learn more about Queen's University Belfast?

Queen's University Belfast's official website is www.qub.ac.uk.

Top-Ranked Universities in the United Kingdom

Industry partnerships of the United Kingdom's top universities signal employer engagement at the apex of the system. Lower-ranked institutions including Queen's University Belfast may still partner with strong employers locally.

Members of European University Association (EUA)

Members of European University Association (EUA), alongside Queen's University Belfast.

Faculties at nearby universities

The institutions below are geographically close to Queen's University Belfast.

Where Else to Study Humanities & Cultural Studies

Humanities & Cultural Studies is also taught at these universities in the United Kingdom.

Universities Compared with Queen's University Belfast

These universities are of a comparable scale to Queen's University Belfast.

Browse all articles →

Spotted something outdated or missing?

Help us keep this page accurate — it takes about 30 seconds.

Save this university to your shortlist

Save universities and programs, follow countries, and get deadline reminders by email. Free, takes a few seconds.

Explore More Universities in United Kingdom

Free calculators and converters to plan your study-abroad journey.

Latest Articles

Fresh guides and advice for studying abroad.

View all →

Compare Compare